Family-owned care provider founded in Weymouth nearly 40 years ago celebrates continued growth while supporting local communities across Dorset.
From a Single Weymouth Home to a £200m Empire: Agincare Opens New Poundbury Hub
Air Dorset was invited to a landmark ceremony yesterday as Agincare officially opened its new home care office in the heart of Poundbury a celebration that highlighted one of Dorset’s most remarkable yet often under-recognised business success stories.
The grand opening at 22 Peverell Avenue West saw Dorchester Mayor Andy Canning and Mayoress Mel Lane join Agincare Founder and Chairman Derek Luckhurst for a formal ribbon cutting ceremony marking the launch of the new hub.
A Weymouth Success Story
While many people know Agincare as a local care provider, few realise the scale of the organisation that began with a single care home in Weymouth nearly four decades ago.
Founded in 1986, the company started with Agincourt, a small family run care home where the Luckhurst family lived on site. From those modest beginnings, Agincare has quietly grown into one of the UK’s largest independent care providers and is proudly based in Weymouth & Portland.
Today the company:
- Employs nearly 6,000 staff nationwide
- Generates an annual turnover of around £200 million
- Remains family-owned and headquartered in Portland
Despite its national reach, Agincare continues to maintain strong roots in Dorset and remains firmly committed to the communities where it began.
“Nearly 40 Years Later”
Speaking at the opening, Agincare founder Derek Luckhurst reflected on the company’s journey from its Weymouth origins to its new Poundbury base.
“I remember the very first day we started… and here we are nearly 40 years later,” he said.
“It is a great privilege to see how far we’ve come. This new office is a symbol of our commitment to Dorchester and a testament to the hard work of our incredible team, some of whom have been with us for over two decades.”
“Care Touches Every Family”
Dorchester Mayoress Mel Lane highlighted the wider impact of care services on communities and families.
“Care is something that touches pretty much every family at some point,” she said.
“Knowing that such a successful and popular organisation in Dorchester is doing so well is such a great pleasure.”
A New Hub for the Community
The new Poundbury office has been designed to be more than just an administrative base. It will act as a community resource centre, allowing families to walk in and discuss care options while also serving as a training hub for the next generation of Dorset care professionals.
The opening was followed by a Careers Open Afternoon, showcasing opportunities within the sector and highlighting Agincare’s role as a major regional employer.
Beyond its business success, Agincare continues to play an active role in the local community, supporting local people, businesses and community projects across Dorset. Despite its national growth, the company has remained closely connected to its roots, regularly working with community organisations and initiatives that benefit the region.
A Legacy of Local Success
As Agincare approaches its 40th anniversary, the opening of its new Poundbury hub stands as a reminder of what a local Weymouth and Portland business can achieve.
From all of us at Air Dorset, we congratulate the entire Agincare team on their continued success and their ongoing commitment to supporting communities across Dorset and beyond.
